New to Windows phone

[llama233]

Yup you read that title right - it's 2018 and I'm getting my first Windows phone :smile:

I've bought a second hand Lumia 930 that was going cheap after reading the Tom Warren article on The Verge about him missing Windows phone (I wanted a 920 but realised they don't take a nano SIM and as this is more of an experiment to see what I've been missing all these years I figured I'd go with something that fits my current SIM).

So - as I know next to nothing about WP should I upgrade to Windows 10 (more apps, still being patched etc) or leave it on the last 8.1 version (which everyone says is a better OS than 10 anyway)?

I'm guessing I'll have better app support on 10 - is this correct? The ones I *need* are:

- Podcast app of some sort
- Spotify
- WhatsApp
- Good Gsuit integration (calendar, mail, contacts etc - I've been a gsuit user since 2008 so use it heavily)
- 2fa app of some sort (currently using Google Authenticator, but any compatible app is fine)
- Uber

Nice to have apps:
- Chromecast solution of some sort
- Evernote
- Netflix
- Dropbox
- SSH client of some sort
- Symantec VIP client
- Google Hangouts

Some apps I know I'll never find - my bank, apps for my motorcycle intercom, local bus card top up etc, but I'll see how I do without them. It could be my SIM goes back into my Android phone after a few weeks, but I'll try and use the Lumia as long as I can - who knows maybe I'll stick with it?

Does 8.1 cover the must haves? If so I might roll that for a while to see what all the fuss is about :smile: Otherwise I'll upgrade to 10 and see if it's really as buggy as I've read people say it is

Anyway - looking forward to seeing what I've been missing all this time!

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[T Moore]

Check available apps here, note the platforms supported.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/apps/windows-phone

 

[AtulAK]

I wonder what made you choose a Windows phone. While you seem mostly on google ecosystem. Experiment of some sort? There were definitely android options for if u were device had a problem. Just curious

 

[llama233]

To be honest it's mostly to scratch an itch - I've only met a few people with Windows mobiles but they were always enthusiastic about them and now the prices have come down so much I thought I'd check it out. I have an Essential PH-1 which I'm very happy with (apart from the so-so camera), it's great being on the latest version of Android and getting the monthly security patches - and of course having access to pretty much any app I can think of!

My first ever smartphone was a Palm Pre, back in 2010, then a Pre Plus, then when HP closed down webOS I jumped over to Nokia with an N9 (MeeGo) phone. I absolutely loved that device - great OS, great UI, but *zero* apps (reminds me of how people talk about Windows Phone :wink. Two years with the N9 and the lack of apps and updates were starting to show - the browser started failing to render modern websites so I jumped ship to iOS with an iPhone 5. Beautiful hardware, great camera, but an infuriating OS (at the time - I know it's improved a whole lot since then). I only used the iPhone for about 5 months and then sold it and moved to Android, first with an HTC One M7, then a Sony Xperia Z5 Compact, and finally the Essential PH-1. Windows Mobile just never came up on my radar.

So... I'm quite used to using different OS's on different hardware, used to living without apps (and now used to living with them!) and really just got super curious about Windows on a mobile. To be honest I may only use it for a few weeks and decide I miss all my apps and the integration with the Google ecosystem, but it's cheap enough that I can add a Windows phone to my collection :smile:

 

[jeffchapik]

I'm interested to see what you think. I don't know if the 930 runs the latest version of W10M or not, but I'd definitely choose 10 over 8.1. 8.1 might be more fluid, but 10 just has so many more features to it.

 

[Elky64]

I'm interested to see what you think. I don't know if the 930 runs the latest version of W10M or not, but I'd definitely choose 10 over 8.1. 8.1 might be more fluid, but 10 just has so many more features to it.

I'd like to revert my 830 back to 8.1 for the fluidity it provided, been a while having a phone running such so maybe our memory is deceiving us with the end results possibly being worse dunno. Agree that W10M has more features but if it's tainted as a whole due to performance issues then don't see the benefits... Too bad there wasn't a way of combining the "good" from both then we'd have something wouldn't we :smile:

Anyhow, the 930's better specs "should" run W10M OK yet seeing how my 950 w/its specs performs proves to me that won't necessarily be the case.

 

[Elky64]

I'd like to revert my 830 back to 8.1 for the fluidity it provided, been a while having a phone running such so maybe our memory is deceiving us with the end results possibly being worse dunno. Agree that W10M has more features but if it's tainted as a whole due to performance issues then don't see the benefits... Too bad there wasn't a way of combining the "good" from both then we'd have something wouldn't we :smile:

Anyhow, the 930's better specs "should" run W10M OK yet seeing how my 950 w/its specs performs proves to me that won't necessarily be the case.

Update:
Dumped W10M on my 830 and reverted back to W8.1 (8.10.14234.375) with the results being mixed. Gained lots in the way of fluidity w/considerable improvement in performance. Also found our web browsing experienced improved (can access sites now that were unobtainable on W10M) although it is noticeably dated - felt the same using 10 too. Gained some apps whilst losing some as well. Aesthetically 8.1 still has a WOW! factor to it although those abilities to tweak that wee bit more is now gone. Haven't lost all that much in regards to functionality for my needs and think the pluses outweigh the negatives, for me.

Think no matter which OS version one chooses they are going to get the short end of the stick, nature of the beast w/Windows phone/Phone. But gonna say W10M "SHOULD" have a better app selection, now that I have seen 8.1 offerings (which has worsened), yet IMHO 10 will take a substantial bite out of performance no matter what phone it is on.

Bottom line - think there is only one way to know which OS works best (for device and user), and that's by physically installing and going through the rigours of testing for a period of time. Don't believe there's a way of knowing for sure which apps are available either until it comes time to install, or whether they are satisfactory for one's needs until they are used/tested.

All we can say after going through the above (LOL)... https://youtu.be/3mDBqH4LUsM

 

[FAHMI BASSEM]

I'll assure you, it's gonna be unforgettable experience!

WP8.1 is more unique, Cortana is way better, W10M has more features, more mature stock apps thanks to UWP!

Web Apps are great as a backup, pin those websites to your start screen!

 

[llama233]

Thanks for that info - I'll see if everything I need is available on 8.1 (I think WhatsApp may only work on 10, if so that'll be a deal breaker and I'll have to upgrade). Anyway, should be fun in a geeky sort of way :smile:

 

[Elky64]

Thanks for that info - I'll see if everything I need is available on 8.1 (I think WhatsApp may only work on 10, if so that'll be a deal breaker and I'll have to upgrade). Anyway, should be fun in a geeky sort of way :smile:

Haven't toyed w/8.1 for a while but now that I HAD downgraded my 830 a revelation I forgot about came to light...

So downgraded and found some apps that were unobtainable on W10M so installed. After fully setting up our 830 we went ahead and upgraded back to W10M... Yeah I know, we love being tortured LOL. As luck would have it a few apps that were installed while on 8.1 retained their functionality once running 10, hit-n-miss as to which ones will as you'll find out when trying to open/run them. So my suggestion (if your 930 is still on 8.1), is to grab all the apps you can/want and if it comes to light some can't be had w/o an upgrade to 10, then upgrade and just maybe you too can benefit.

A word of caution... if at some point you need to do a hard reset whilst running W10M it's a very good chance those apps obtained on 8.1 will become nul and void, at least that is how I remember it... Some apps won't run until they are upgraded to the 10 version.

Anyway, good luck with your adventure and let us know how you make out :smile:

 

[PrinceBrown7]

Was thinking likewise:smile:

 

[ManofGod1000]

Yup you read that title right - it's 2018 and I'm getting my first Windows phone :smile:

I've bought a second hand Lumia 930 that was going cheap after reading the Tom Warren article on The Verge about him missing Windows phone (I wanted a 920 but realised they don't take a nano SIM and as this is more of an experiment to see what I've been missing all these years I figured I'd go with something that fits my current SIM).

So - as I know next to nothing about WP should I upgrade to Windows 10 (more apps, still being patched etc) or leave it on the last 8.1 version (which everyone says is a better OS than 10 anyway)?

I'm guessing I'll have better app support on 10 - is this correct? The ones I *need* are:

- Podcast app of some sort
- Spotify
- WhatsApp
- Good Gsuit integration (calendar, mail, contacts etc - I've been a gsuit user since 2008 so use it heavily)
- 2fa app of some sort (currently using Google Authenticator, but any compatible app is fine)
- Uber

Nice to have apps:
- Chromecast solution of some sort
- Evernote
- Netflix
- Dropbox
- SSH client of some sort
- Symantec VIP client
- Google Hangouts

Some apps I know I'll never find - my bank, apps for my motorcycle intercom, local bus card top up etc, but I'll see how I do without them. It could be my SIM goes back into my Android phone after a few weeks, but I'll try and use the Lumia as long as I can - who knows maybe I'll stick with it?

Does 8.1 cover the must haves? If so I might roll that for a while to see what all the fuss is about :smile: Otherwise I'll upgrade to 10 and see if it's really as buggy as I've read people say it is

Anyway - looking forward to seeing what I've been missing all this time!

Cheers,
Andrew

All I can say is, enjoy. I have a Essential Phone like you but, I have all the Google stuff that I can disable fully disabled. The hardware is fast and that is all I needed on that side. On my Idol 4s for Windows, Windows 10 Mobile works great. However, it was also designed for that OS so that could be a reason why.

Personally, I would have the Idol as my go to phone but, Garmin has completely abandoned that and Windows 10 itself. I know you will find out why all the Windows phone users enjoyed their phones soon enough.

 

[llama233]

So after a week of using the Lumia 930 as my only mobile here are a jumble of thoughts, hopefully in some sort of coherent order....

Firstly, the hardware. Man, we've come a long way in only four years! The Lumia 930 does feel good, but you know it's an older device (really thick, large bezels around the screen). One thing I didn't realise I'd miss so much is the fingerprint scanner, I'm constantly feeling around for it when I pick up the phone only to remember the 930 doesn't have one so I need to type in my pin - I'd forgotten how many times a day I unlock my phone. The biggest problem with it is the battery life - this is probably the result of it being ~4 years old and the battery not being as good as it once was, but I need to top it up during the day or I simply won't make it through (and this is just with normal use, nothing too extreme). And the camera - my Essential phone has been criticized as having a pretty mediocre camera but it is streets ahead of the 930 - three years younger really does make a difference!

Anyway, criticizing 4 year old hardware isn't really fair, so on to Windows 10 Mobile!

I'll sum it up by saying I can do (pretty much) everything I need to on this phone, but it's all a little bit harder. It's mostly the apps - there are most of the apps I use but they are missing functionality in small subtle ways, plus I'm used to some things I don't even think about on Android. For example there is a pretty good Spotify app for Windows 10 Mobile, but it doesn't have the daily playlist feature, and I can't cast it to my lounge chromecast. And another example Netflix - the app works fine but I can't cast it to my TV. I didn't realise how much I cast things until I couldn't. Tubecast works well however so at least I can cast YouTube content.

So in no particular order, here are the pros (for me at least, ymmv):
- The UI is different and refreshing - Android and iOS are both a bit stale in comparison, but Win10m is fun to use.
- The filesystem integration from apps - I assumed I'd never be able to find a KeePass database reader that could also read off Dropbox (where I keep my encrypted password DB) but was really surprised and happy to find I only needed to install Dropbox and all apps that had filesystem access could now use it! This is a great feature.
- It's fast! Even on four year old hardware it is smooth and fluid.
- Love the copy/pasting mechanism - it is really nice having the paste icon on the keyboard so you can paste even if the text box doesn't support it.
- Quiet hours - they are just more intuitive than Do Not Disturb on Android (to me at least).

Cons:
- The app gap. It's real and I keep hitting it. By that I mean there are some apps that simply aren't there (my bank, we use Rocketchat at work for internal coms, PagerDuty app when on call) but also when there is an app it is often a few years behind (Spotify for example, doesn't have all the features of the Android version and Maps has some wrong road layouts) or the third party app doesn't work quiet as well (GMessenger Pro works fine for hangouts but is extremely slow, and sometimes I don't get notifications)
- Notifications - I know a lot of people on this forum keep saying "I can see everything I need in one glance" but I really think Android notifications are better (again, my opinion!) - on Win10m I need to look all over the screen, wait for tiles to flip etc. On my Android phone I swipe down from the top and there they all are, in order of importance (missed calls at the top, messages from apps grouped ready for expansion etc). I simply don't see how the live tiles are easier (don't get me wrong, I *do* really like them as they brighten up the OS and make it feel alive, but I really don't think they are better at displaying info). I know Win10M also has the pull down with notifications but they aren't that great, just an unsorted list.
- Not sure if this is the hardware or Win10M, but when using Edge the phone gets crazy hot and the battery starts draining fast. No idea what it's doing in the background to cause this.
- Little things: In my car, when connected with Bluetooth on my Android phone I can see track info, song (or podcast) duration, have a slider for dragging to a new part of the song etc on the car touch screen. On Win10M I only get track title and forward/back controls. Also on Android having audio controls on the swipe down is really nice - Win10M has them on the lock screen but once unlocked you have to open the app to pause etc (at least with Spotify). The Uber app can't find any addresses so I have to drag and drop pins for dropoff locations (but otherwise the app works fine). The keyboard, when long pressing the period, needs more punctuation on the pop up menu (Google Keyboard is better imho). All little things, and maybe I'm just used to Android and the apps there, but they are niggles that annoy me

So all in all, I've actually really enjoyed my week on Win10M which I honestly wasn't expecting too - the OS gets some things very right and really is fun to use. But at the same time it is clear that this is an abandoned platform (and I know what this feels like - I've been through this twice already with the Palm Pre and the Nokia N9, the app store looks more and more abandoned and things start to break in subtle ways...) so I'll be sticking my SIM back in my Android phone. This is a pity - I think I could honestly get everything done in Win10M that I currently use a phone for, but I'd be missing little features and working harder than I need to, and it will only get harder over the years. I really wish it had gotten the traction that everyone hoped it would, we'd be better off today with a third player, and maybe if more people like me had discovered it back in 2014 we wouldn't be in this position today...

Final notes: I've had zero issues with using my Google accounts - calendar, email etc are all working beautifully, and so is YouTube (with cast support!) using TubeCast. I've actually been surprised/impressed at how many apps there still are, things I didn't expect to see like Symantec VIP (which we use at work), KeePassReader, Cerberus Authenticator for my 2FA needs, etc etc, so it's not *quite* dead yet. In fact I think the thing that will be the final nail in the coffin for some is lack of new hardware, those batteries aren't getting any younger...

 

[llama233]

Having said all that...

I'm kinda attached to this old brick now, I've even started looking at alternative launchers for Android to make it more Win10M-ish :smile:

But I would like to improve the battery situation - there are a bunch on Aliexpress that advertise greater capacities (3000MAh which is a whopping 24% more), has anyone had any experience with knock off BV-5QW batteries? I'm not even sure original Nokia ones can be found on Amazon etc any more (there are some listed but if they are originals they would be equally as old by now...)